Installment Options: How Split Payments Work

We offer a clear and predictable installment plan — allowing you to reserve your pet today and complete the payment closer to the departure date. Alternatively, if PayPal Pay Later is available, you can continue your payment schedule even after your new companion has arrived home.

Lapa’s Standard 2-Step Payment (Always Available)

We offer a guaranteed two-step payment structure for every purchase:

Step 1 — Reservation Deposit (Online)

You pay a deposit directly on our website to secure your pet. Once the deposit is confirmed, the pet is immediately taken off the market, and the “Buy” option is disabled for other users.

Step 2 — Final Balance (By Invoice)

The remaining balance is due approximately 10 days before departure, once your pet has successfully passed their final veterinary check. We will send you an official invoice, and you can choose the most convenient payment method (with guidance from your personal manager).

This 2-step structure is our internal standard — it is guaranteed for every client and does not require third-party credit approval.

Extended Installments with PayPal Pay Later

Note: Shipping costs are calculated separately and are not included in the pet’s installment plan.

In certain countries, PayPal offers Pay Later options for eligible customers. For instance, a popular choice is Pay in 3:

The first payment is made at checkout.
The remaining two payments are made over the following two months.

If this option is available in your region, you can potentially split your purchase into up to 6 installments:

Split the Deposit into 3 payments via PayPal.
Split the Final Balance into 3 payments via PayPal.

for a total of up to 6 payments.

Availability is determined solely by PayPal and will be displayed as an option during the checkout process for each specific invoice.

Consult with Your Manager

If you plan to use PayPal Pay Later or Pay in 3, please inform your Lapa manager in advance. We will guide you through the process, ensuring the correct payment method (link or invoice) and timing to maximize your chances of approval.

Please be aware that PayPal determines eligibility for installment plans independently. Approval is not guaranteed for every customer or every transaction, as PayPal performs its own internal checks (including account status and other proprietary factors).

We have done our part to make this as easy as possible: Pay Later is fully enabled in our store, and many of our clients have already successfully used these options. If you qualify and the service is available in your region, you will see the Pay Later option directly within the PayPal window during checkout or when paying an invoice.

How to Check Your Eligibility for Pay Later

To determine eligibility, PayPal may perform a “soft” credit check, which is designed to be quick and has no impact on your credit score. However, please note that PayPal may report repayment history to credit bureaus (such as TransUnion). As with any installment plan, timely payments are important, as missed payments may affect your ability to use credit services in the future.

The most reliable way to know if you can use this option is directly within the PayPal interface:

If the option appears: If you see Pay Later, Pay in 3, or Installments during the checkout process, it is available for that specific transaction.
If the option is missing: This means PayPal is not offering an installment plan for this particular payment at this time.

While your Lapa manager can help guide you through the best payment routes, the final decision and available options are always displayed by PayPal at the moment of checkout.

Notice: PayPal Pay Later is not supported for pet purchases in the UK. English regulations require buying directly from breeders, and breeder accounts do not have this function enabled.

Understanding the “Overlap Month”

When using PayPal Pay Later for both the deposit and the final balance, please note that schedules may coincide. There is typically one month (usually the 2nd or 3rd month) when two payments occur close together:

The final installment of your Deposit.
The first installment of your Final Balance.

During this “overlap month,” your total monthly outgoing will be higher than usual. This is a standard result of managing two active payment plans simultaneously.

Illustrative Example

Let’s assume the total price of a kitten/puppy is €1,500.

Lapa’s 2-Step Payment Structure:

Deposit: €750 (Paid at reservation)
Final Balance: €750 (Paid approx. 10 days before departure)

If PayPal Pay in 3 is applied to both, your schedule would look like this:

Month 1:

Deposit payment #1: €250
Total Month 1: €250

Month 2:

Deposit payment #2: €250
Total Month 2: €250

Month 3 (overlap month):

Deposit payment #3: €250
Final payment #1: €250
Total Month 3: €500 (two payments in one month)

Month 4:

Final payment #2: €250
Total Month 4: €250

Month 5:

Final payment #3: €250
Total Month 5: €250

Please note: Exact dates and the specific “overlap month” may vary depending on PayPal’s automated schedule and the date your final invoice is issued.

Options to Avoid the “Overlap Month”

If you prefer a simpler payment structure, you may choose to pay the Full Amount upfront instead of splitting it into a deposit and a final balance.

The Benefit: If PayPal Pay in 3 is available for the full transaction, you will have only one payment plan to manage, avoiding any overlapping months.
The Trade-off: Please note that each of the three monthly installments will be significantly larger compared to our recommended 2-step approach (Deposit now + Balance later).

Cancellation & Refund Policy (PayPal Pay Later)

1. If you cancel after paying the Reservation Deposit:

Non-Refundable: Per our policy, the reservation deposit is non-refundable.
Ongoing Obligation: Since PayPal has already paid the merchant on your behalf, you will likely be required to complete your remaining installments to PayPal.
No Automatic Cancellation: Canceling your reservation with Lapa does not automatically cancel your separate credit agreement with PayPal.

2. If you cancel after the Final Balance is requested or paid:

Eligibility: Refunds at this stage depend on the timing and the current status of your reservation (as per our Terms & Conditions).
Approved Refunds: If a refund is approved and the payment was made via PayPal, we will process it back through the PayPal system. PayPal typically adjusts or closes your installment plan accordingly.
Denied Refunds: If no refund is due under our policy, your installment payments remain your legal obligation to PayPal.

Pro Tip: If you have any doubts, please speak with your personal manager before settling the final invoice. It is always easier to prevent a misunderstanding than to resolve one later.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about paying in installments, or if you would like to see a sample payment plan for a specific kitten or puppy, please message our managers via your preferred messenger app.